Introduction:

When we plug different appliances into a power strip, current flows separately through each power cord. However, the cord that supplies electrical energy to the power strip has to support all of the current that branches out to the different appliances. This creates the potential of excess current, and led to the development of some safety mechanisms: fuses and circuit breakers.

Activity:

• Outfit a room with your ultimate entertainment system. Determine the total power (in watts) of all of the devices. Divide by 120 (volts) to determine the current supplied to the system (in amps).
• Determine whether your entertainment system would trip a 5-amp, 10-amp, 15-amp, or 20-amp circuit breaker.
• Grab the document C4CircuitBreakers from your iCal or my Teachers folder to document your work.
• When you are finished, PDF the document and drag it to my Hand-in Robot.

Conclusion:

Practice:

Enrichment: